The Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Negros Oriental created Tuesday a Technical Working Group to review an existing security plan for the Province.
Lt. Col. Roderick Garcia, commander of the 79th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, disclosed the TWG was created with the PNP, the Maritime Group and the Philippine Coast Guard, during Tuesday’s meeting of the provincial Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Council.
PNP Acting Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Henry Biñas confirmed this, disclosing that the TWG will also review the composition of the Joint Task Force and the member organizations’ individual and specific tasks and responsibilities.
To recall, the PPOC last week agreed to reactive the JTF in the wake of reports of security threats by terror groups targeting areas mostly visited by foreign tourists in southern Cebu and most likely to include southern Negros Oriental.
The TWG will also conduct simulated exercises to test the different skills, response time, technical expertise and capabilities and inter-operability of the different law enforcement agencies comprising the JTF, explained Sr. Supt. Biñas.
By undertaking regular scenario-based simulation exercises, the public will also be aware that government security forces are prepared at all times to swiftly respond to any form of terror threat or attack, Sr. Supt. Biñas added.
The PNP official disclosed that they are also considering inviting resort owners to be part of the Joint Task Force, especially as these are vulnerable targets because of the presence of foreign guests.
The TWG met Friday and will be presenting its outputs to the PPOC at a later date, once the plans are finalized. (PNA)
